Book Review Written in Stone by Ellery Adams

Ellery Adams writes magnificent mysteries no matter what name she is using – Jennifer Stanley, J.B. Stanley, mystery gal about town or intrepid writing diva. Adams brings it. Period. Her writing is flawless, storytelling imaginative and sprinkled with heart. Adams has panache and the fact she is an unstoppable cinematic wordsmith just adds that maraschino cherry to readers’ scrumptious piña coladas.

This former Long Island native is a born teller of tales and she has finally *knock wood* found her niche in the Berkley realm penning the spirited Books By the Bay series. Finally! Finally! Yep, it bears repeating. Listen up, Berkley and don’t screw us – Jen, Morasco or her legions of devotees.

I have been a fan of Adams’ from the beginning and have always felt cheated when the publisher *cough* Berkley *cough * pulled the plug on her previous series – the Collectibles Mysteries and the Hope Street Church Mysteries. It is about time Adams’ is getting her comeuppance with both the Books By the Bay series and The Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries. Go, mama!

When Munin Cooper, notorious as the Witch of Oyster Bay, cautions Olivia Limoges that death is approaching, neither of them realize that it is the elder lady herself who will be found dead. And Olivia’s inclinations express to her that something — or someone — more ominous than a preternatural energy is swirling about Oyster Bay.

Olivia is the midst of preparing for the Coastal Carolina Food Festival when news of Munin’s untimely death reaches her and finding the murderer is first on the menu.

The sorceress left behind a remembrance ewer jam-packed of mementos that Olivia distinguishes points to the killer, but she’s got to decipher what they mean.

With the support of her striking sweetheart Police Chief Rawlings, Olivia begins to pinpoint some of the vessel’s cagy fillings and determines its mysteries are murkier than she believed. Olivia procures the sustenance of the Bayside Book Writers to unravel the conundrum behind the jug’s contents and stop a ruthless murderer.

Without spilling the tea, I will say, for all of those who have followed Olivia Limoges’ story from the beginning, you will be over the moon delighted to learn her family riddles are finally discovered in Written in Stone. Juicy and satiating goodness at the ready is what I’m sayin’!

In the fourth installment, Adams’ emerges once again as a strong writer with an accomplished heroine and a robust coastal North Carolina setting so authentic the seawater tickles your nostrils, the seagulls cry and the sand clings to your sun-kissed skin.

The Bayside Book Writers gang and the fetching Police Chief Rawlings are back in the thick of things and as charming as ever. Adams once again provides a cast of players so impeccable readers long to invite themselves over to their imaginative abodes. Adams flawlessly constructs engaging characters in her tales, conveying fresh ones who will linger in future scenarios.

Written in Stone is a riveting saga for individuals who love respectable storytelling. Adams does not disappoint in the latest Berkley Prime Crime cozy and surprises readers by slipping in a few titillating nuggets.